History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 92

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1360

USA > Pennsylvania > History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I > Part 92

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Just before dark on the following day, the divison was sent out to relieve General Reno, at Cub Run, and took position on a range of hills covered with heavy woods, where the men rested on their arms, undisturbed by the enemy. On the following day the command marehed back to Centreville, passing long lines of ambulanees and army wagons, on their way to the field for the wounded. A little before sunset of September 1st, just as the division had passed Chan- tilly, the enemy made a furious attaek upon the rear, and the Reserves were put in position in a large open field, the shot and shell falling thiek and fast amongst

584

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT-SECOND RESERVE

1862

them, but doing little harm. In the midst of a thunder storm the battle was fought, but darkness soon terminated the conflict.

Captain Reitzel, with company G, having been left upon the Peninsula to march down with the wagon train, rejoined the regiment on the 6th of Septem- ber. On the same day the command started on the Maryland campaign, and crossing the Long Bridge and passing through Mechanicsville and New Market, arrived on the 15th in the neighborhood of Frederick, where M'Clellan's Army was principally concentrated. On the morning of the 14th the left wing of Reno's Corps engaged the enemy at Turner's Gap on the Sharpsburg road. At the same time General Hooker advanced on the Old Hagerstown road and while moving along the base of the mountains was opened upon by several pieces of artillery. General Seymour, whose brigade occupied the extreme right, deployed the Bucktails as skirmishers, with the Second Regiment about fifty yards in their rear as a support. Advancing up the first acclivities, they soon became engaged and succeeded in driving the enemy from a farm house where considerable resistance was made. Here the two regiments became min- gled and were not again fully separated. The enemy was driven a considerable distance until coming to a stone wall at the immediate base of the mountains, he clung to it with great tenacity, making a stubborn resistance; but the im- petuosity and determination of these regiments carried them over it. The ground was very difficult, the mountain side being obstructed by stone walls, rocks and timber from behind which the enemy, in lines and squads, kept up an incessant fire. All order and regularity of the lines were soon destroyed. From wall and rock the enemy was driven, until the summit was reached and the loud cheer of victory rising from the crest, rolled down the mountain side carrying dismay to the hearts of the vanquished. The triumph was complete, and during the night the cnemy retreated leaving his dead and wounded in the hands of the victors. The loss in the regiment was seven killed and ten wounded

The enemy had now fallen back and taken up a strong position stretching across the angle formed by the Potomac and the Antictam, his flanks and rear protected by these streams. It was three o'clock in the afternoon of the 16th, when the Reserves, followed by the division of Ricketts and Doubleday, crossed the Antietiam at a ford and at the upper bridge, and advanced to attack, and if possible turn the left flank of the enemy. The artillery soon opened, and the infantry drove the enemy from the first strip of woods over the fields to the second, the battle lasting until eight o'clock in the evening, the Reserves resting upon their arms, the Second supporting Cooper's Battery. At two o'clock on the following morning the Bucktails opened the second day's fight as they had the first. Getting short of ammunition the Second was sent to relicve them, arriving just in the grey of the morning. Deploying they crept stealthily to their position, and opened a heavy fire upon the enemy, both parties maintaining their positions. Soon after the whole corps came up, and the battle opened in earnest. Upon the repulse of Sedgwick on the right, the battle in front became more desperate. Already had Captain Mealy been taken from the field severely wounded, and Lieutenant Wimpfheimer had fallen. The regiment to the right of the Second had given way, and the enemy pressing hard had forced back its right flank, and, notwithstanding the gallantry of officers and bravery of the men, it was finally overpowered by superior numbers and forced back after six hours of hard fighting.

The batteries of the Reserves were now pushed forward and opened with case

1862

BATTLES OF SOUTH MOUNTAIN AND ANTIETAM.

shot and canister that swept back the advancing foe, when the Second, with the division, charged with lond cheers over the plonghed field into the cornfield and the woods beyond. With varied fortunes the battle raged in its front, when the line, after having been again for nearly four hours under a murderous fire, was forced back by the weight of the enemy's attack. The ammunition being nearly expended, the regiment took position immediately below the crest of the heights on which they had so gallantly fought. The Second entered this battle with one hundred and seventy-one rank and file. Of this number six were killed and twenty wounded. Colonel M'Candless, Lieutenant Colonel Woodward and Major Neide being absent on account of wounds, the regiment was led in the last two engagements by Captain Byrnes.

On the 26th of September, the regiment broke camp, crossing the Potomac near Berlin, and passing through Middleburg and White Plains to the gap be- tween Water and Pig Nut Mountains in the neighborhood of Warrenton, it was deployed as skirmishers, companies A, B and HI, under Captain M'Don- ough, to the right of the road, D, E and G, under Major Neide, to the left, C and K as a reserve, following close in the rear. Advancing rapidly through dense underbrush over the crest of the mountains, they re-united beyond the gap, the way being found clear of the enemy. On the 10th of November the regiment was called out to bid farewell to General M'Clellan, who had been relieved and superseded by General Burnside. On the 16th General Seymour, at his own request, was relieved of the command of the First Brigade, and was succeeded by Colonel William Sinclair, of the Sixth Reserves. Soon afterwards the regiment marched through Stafford Court House to Brooks' Station, on the Acquia Creek and Fredericksburg railroad, where it went into camp. On the 25th Major Neide resigned on account of disability, occasioned by wounds re- ceived at Charles City Cross Roads.

On the morning of the 8th the regiment broke camp and moved to the neighborhood of White Oak Church, where the men received each, sixty rounds of cartridges. Preparations having been perfected for delivering a general battle, an attempt was made on the 11th to lay six pontoon bridges across the Rappa- hannock, four opposite the town of Fredericksburg, and two lower down. The enemy's sharp-shooters rendering the attempt futile, the town was bombarded and set on fire in various places; but not until the infantry crossed in boats and drove out the sharp-shooters could the bridges be completed. Of this party was Joseph Kline, a boy of sixteen, of company C, who could not resist the temptation to join it. He captured, before returning, a Mississippi rifle and accoutrements from a rebel whom he killed.

Early on the 12th the regiment marched to the lower bridge, and crossing, formed in line of battle on the elevated plateau where the whole of Franklin's Grand Division was drawn up with artillery and cavalry posted. The Buck- tails were ordered to the extreme left, and the Second was sent to occupy the buildings and out-houses at Smithfield, and to hold the bridge across Deep run. Early on the morning of the 13th, the enemy threw out foot and mounted skir- mishers on our left, and Colonel M'Candless ordered companies B, Captain M'Donough, and H, Captain Mealey, to the support of the Bucktails, following hard upon with the balance of his regiment. Soon afterwards the entire division moved forward and formed the first line of battle, with Gibbon's Division on the right. Scarcely had the dispositions been made when the enemy opened with artillery. Until twelve M. the Reserves had been lying under a terrific fire 74

586

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT-SECOND RESERVE.

1863

of round shot and shell, when the order to advance was given and received with loud cheers, the First Brigade, advancing over the field into the woods, and driving the enemy before them. Having passed through a severe flanking fire from a rifle pit which lined the base of the woods, the regiment crossed the railroad and drove the enemy from behind the embankments, and then making a half wheel to the left, gained the rear of the pit and poured into its occu- pants a most destructive fire. Hemmed in on all sides, they neither gave token of surrender nor attempted defense, while it was difficult to stop the firing of our men. At length Adjutant Woodward, sheathing his sword, with cap in haud, advanced between the two lines and asked them if they "wished to fight or surrender." "We will surrender if you will allow us," was the reply. Over three hundred laid down their arms and surrendered, while at least one hun- dred lay dead or wounded in the pit. It was the Nineteenth Georgia Infantry.

The brigade now pressed vigorously on and continued driving the enemy back, until the crest of the heights was gained, and the enemy's rear, but having no support, the foe swarming out on all sides and bearing down upon this small force, it was compelled to yield. Through the succeeding day and night there was considerable picket firing, and on Monday a flag of truce was agreed upon to bring off the wounded and bury the dead. On Monday night, soon after dark, the regiment was ordered under arms, and, leaving the camp fires brightly burning, moved slowly and noiselessly towards the river, and crossed on muffled pontoons. Colonel Sinclair having been severely wounded, the command of the brigade devolved upon Colonel M'Candless, and that of the regiment upon Captain Mealey. The regiment went into the en- gagement with one hundred and ninety-five muskets. The loss was seven killed, twenty-eight wounded and four taken prisoners. Charles Upjohn, of company K, captured the flag of the Nineteenth Georgia. Color Sergeant William Derr was shot on the plateau while crossing a fence, and Colonel M'Candless ordered two of his men to carry him to the rear, but he refused to permit them, telling them to "take the flag and go on." Before advancing to the charge and while the men were lying upon the ground exposed to a hot fire of artillery, the flag staff was cut in two by a round shot. Jumping to their feet the men gave three cheers and then laid down again.

After the battle of Fredericksburg, the Reserves participated in the move- ments of the army until the 5th of February, when a telegram was received from General Doubleday, division commander, stating that in consideration of the arduous and gallant services of the Reserves, they were to be withdrawn to the neighborhood of Washington, to rest and recruit. The Second was not, therefore, engaged in the battle of Chancellorsville, but still enjoyed little rest, being constantly employed on picket and guard duty, even more arduous than before. At Union Mills, on the 8th of March, Captain John M. Clark, with sixty men, company F, which had been detailed to duty with the artillery, re- joined the regiment. Colonel Sinclair, commanding the brigade, resigned the Colonelcy of the Sixth Reserves to take command of a battery of horse artil- lery, and was succeeded in command of the brigade by Colonel M'Candless. Lieutenant Colonel Woodward assumed command of the regiment.

On the 15th, long trains of ambulances, wagons, and the reserve artillery of the Army of the Potomac, passed by the camp of the Second, and on the same day General Hooker and staff, and towards night the Twelfth Army Corps. On the 17th, the main body and the rear guard of the army arrived, and rest-

587

BATTLE OF GETTYSBURG.

1863

ing a night and a part of a day near by, moved on into Maryland. To see the whole army marching to meet the enemy on Pennsylvania soil, and be obliged to remain behind, was too mortifying for Pennsylvanians to bear. Officers were, accordingly, sent to Washington to intercede for marching orders, and on the 17th, the following communication, signed by the field and line officers, was addressed to Colonel M'Candless, who forwarded it through the proper chan- nels to the Commander-in-Chief of the Army.

HEADQUARTERS, 2D REG'T, INFANTRY, P. R. V. C., FAIRFAX STATION, VA., June 17, 1863.

To Colonel WILLIAM M'CANDLESS,

Commanding First Brigade :

We, the undersigned, officers of the Second Regiment, Infantry, Pennsyl- vania Reserve Volunteer Corps, having learned that our mother State has been invaded by a confederate force, respectfully ask that you will, if it be in your power, have us ordered within the borders of our State, for her defense .. Under M'Call, Reynolds, Meade, Seymour, Sinclair, and yourself, we have more than once met and fought the enemy, when he was at home. We now wish to meet him again when he threatens our homes, our families and our firesides. Could our wish in this behalf be realized, we feel confident that we could do some ser- vice to the State that sent us to the field, and not diminish, if we could not in- crease, the lustre that attaches to our name.

On the 25th, orders to march were received, and the First Brigade together with the Third was attached to the Fifth Corps, commanded by General Meade, and subsequently commanded by General Sykes. On the 2d of July the regi- ment reached the battle-field, and at five o'clock in the afternoon, at a critical period in the fortunes of the day, when the broken ranks of the Third Corps, and its supports, were falling back, overborne by the masses of the enemy, the First Brigade was ordered forward. Already had the advancing foe approached within fifty paces of the brow of Little Round Top. Starting forward with a shout, and delivering a solid volley as they went, they crossed the marshy open space in front, cleared the rocky face of the slope beyond and halted not until they reached the stone wall bordering the skirt of woods, where the enemy made a last desperate rally.

After the last grand charge of the enemy on our left centre, on the after- noon of the third day, his sharp-shooters with a battery in the immediate front of the Reserves, became very troublesome. M'Candless was ordered to silence, or capture them. The Bucktails, First, Second and Eleventh, crossed the wall and advanced through the woods to an open field, now waiving with golden grain, while Colonel Ent of the Sixth crept cautiously up to the battery which he stormed and captured. When the Sixth was fairly engaged, Colonel M'- Candless, with the balance of his brigade, which, after attracting the atten- tion of the enemy and drawing his fire, had dropped upon the ground, now moved by the right flank, and filing left formed in line of battle in a woods at right angles with the stone wall, and deploying skirmishers to the front, right and left, charged on double quick over the field for half a mile, receiving the cnemy's fire from the woods on three sides. Half wheeling to the right and pouring a few volleys into the woods, they charged up to the crest. Halting for a few moments, they faced about, wheeled the line a little to the right and charged through the woods in their rear, through the meadow, and up over the steep aclivity on the opposite side, taking the enemy in flank, driving them

588

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT-SECOND RESERVE.

1864

in confusion, and penetrating far into their lines. The trophies of this brilliant raid, besides the captures of the Sixth, were six thousand stand of arms, the flag of the Fifteenth Georgia, and three hundred prisoners, including a Colonel and many line officers. The ground of the previous day's fight was retrieved, and with it the wounded who had lain where they fell, suffering the pangs of many deaths. The Second Regiment went into battle with one hundred and forty-seven men, and lost ten killed and thirty wounded. It was led by Cap- tain Smith of company K.

Lee having retreated to the Potomac, the Fifth Corps advanced along the South Mountain, and crossing, approached the outposts of the enemy near the Sharpsburg and Hagerstown pike, where the Second and five companies of the Fifth, all under Colonel Woodward, were sent out on picket. On the following morning, Sunday, companies C and H, Captains Byrnes and Mealey were sent to occupy a piece of heavy timber in advance and to the left, in close proximity to the enemy's picket pits. Considerable firing took place but without loss to the regiment, and on the following night the rebel army made its escape across the Potomac.

On the 1st of September, Lieutenant Colonel Woodward was transferred to the Invalid Corps, on account of wounds received at Charles City Cross Roads, and was succeeded in command of the regiment by Major M'Donough, who was soon after commissioned Lieutenant Colonel and Captain R. Ellis, Major.

In the operations of the Army of the Potomac, in its advance to Warren- ton, its retreat to Centreville, and its advance again to Mine Run, the regiment shared in the hardships of the campaign, losing two wounded and one prisoner at Bristoe Station ; one killed at New Hope Church; one wounded and one prisoner at Mine Run; one wounded at Bristoe Station, January 24th; one killed at Bistoe Station, March 27, 1864.

The Wilderness campaign, under Grant, opened on the 4th of May, the army crossing the Rapidan and moving by the right flank of the rebel army, posted at Orange Court House, ten miles away. Companies A, D, E and H, under Captain Mealey, were detailed, with a like number of the Sixth, as train and ambulance guard, and did not rejoin the main body until the 11th. In the formation of the line of the army, Sedgwick held the right. Soon after getting into position, the enemy's skirmishers were discovered in front with their main force on our right. General Crawford detached the Second, Seventh and Elev- enth regiments of the brigade, and ordered M'Candless to move upon the enemy. Filing to the right, the column advanced, driving him in upon Wadsworth's Di- vision, already hard pressed. Here a stubborn resistance was made, and M'- Candless, seeing the critical position of Wadsworth, ordered a charge, heading it in person. The enemy was broken and driven from his position, but such was the impetuosity of the charge, that most of the brigade staff, Captain Byrnes, and many others were captured. The term of service of these captives had nearly expired; but for ten months they were confined in rebel prison pens, being driven about from point to point, to elude the grasp of Sherman, and for a time, under fire at Charleston. The loss in the three days of fight- ing was one killed, three wounded and six taken prisoners. In the move- ment upon Spottsylvania Court House, the Second regiment being on picket, did not move with the main body of the army. During the afternoon of the 7th, a sprinkling fire was kept up in which Captain Smith was slightly wounded. During the night it quietly withdrew, and marching to the battle-field, about

589

1864

BATTLE OF SHADY GROVE CHURCH.

fifteen miles distant, was under fire at 2 P. M., of the Sth. On the morning of the 10th, the battle opened with a sharp cannonade, and the Second was engaged in constructing rifle pits, and afterwards was placed on picket. About noon the enemy in front became restive, and a spirited skirmish opened which lasted until dark. At one A. M., of the 12th, the regiment moved into rifle pits, and at daybreak a heavy artillery duel opened, in which the enemy's guns were silenced. As soon as the firing ceased, the infantry was ordered to charge, and leaping the rifle-pits they passed through the valley and up to the enemy's breast-works, but were driven back ; again they returned and held their position until re- lieved. In the several engagements around Spottsylvania, of the 8th, 10th and 12th, the loss was nine killed, nine wounded and two taken prisoners. Of the wounded was Colonel M'Candless. At Giney Station, on the 21st, the regi- ment was again under fire, but did not become engaged and had no casualties. At the North Anna, on the 23d, the enemy was met in force, and after the usual shelling, his lines advanced to the charge, but were signally repulsed, the divi- sion taking over four hundred prisoners.

On the 25th the three years' term of service of the regiment expired, and General Crawford put the question to the men, whether they would go home alone or remain until the 31st, when the other regiments of the division would be relieved. They unanimously decided to remain. Re-crossing the North Anna, the regiment moved with the division, and on the 28th crossed the Pa- munky. About two o'clock of the 30th, near Shady Grove Church, the enemy's skirmishers were met. It was about this hour of the day, and at this place, that the enemy were met under similar circumstances just before the battle of Mechanicsville, three years before, the first battle in which the regiment was engaged. Forming in a favorable position, breast-works were thrown up, the Second being posted to hold a wood to the left and rear of the division. The enemy advanced with confidence to the attack, but as their first line approached a fence and hedge a short distance in front of the rifle-pits of the regiment, a crashing musketry fire was opened upon them, while the artillery poured in canister and one-second-fuse shells. Those of the enemy not killed or wounded by the fire, threw themselves upon the ground and soon after surrendered. This, the last battle fought by the Reserve Corps, was participated in by the Second five days after its term of service had expired. Soon after it moved to Harrisburg, where it was honored by a public reception, and thence to Phila- delphia, where similar honors awaited it, and where it was mustered ont of service.

590

THIRTY-FIRST REGIMENT-SECOND RESERVE,

FIELD AND STAFF OFFICERS.

NAME.

RANK.

DATE OF MUSTER INTO SERVICE.

TERM-YEARS

REMARKS.

William B. Mann ... Wm. M'Candless

Col

.. do

June 21, '61, May 27, '61,

Pr. from Major to Lt. Col., Oct. 22, 1861-to Col., Aug. 1, '62-wd. at Bull Run, Aug. 30, '62, and Wilderness, May 8, 1864-mustered out with regiment, June 16, 1864.

Albert L. Magilton Geo. A. Woodward

Lt. Col. ... do

June 21, '61, May 27, '61, 3

Promoted to Colonel 33d reg. P. V., Oct. 4, 1861. Pr. from Capt. Co. A to Maj., April 2, '62-to Lt. Col., Feb. 20, '63-wd. and prisoner at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, '62-tr. to V. R. C., Aug .. 24, '63-pr. to Colonel 22d reg. V. R. C.

Patrick M'Donough ... do

May 27, '61,

3 |Pr. from Capt. Co. B to Major, Aug. 1, '62-to Lt. Col., Oct 28, 1865-to Bv Col., March 13, 1865 -- mustered out with regiment, June 16, 1864.

Horace Neide

Major ..

May 27, '61, 3 Pr. from Capt. Co. A to Maj., Aug. 1, '62-disch. Nov. 25, '62, for wds. rec. at Charles City Cross Roads, June 30, '62-Bv. Colonel, Mar. 13, '65.

Richard Ellis

.. do

May 25, '61,

3 |Pr. from Capt. Co. D to Maj., Oct. 28, '63-to Bv. Lieutenant Colonel, March 13, 1865-mustered ont with regiment, June 16, 1864.

Augustus T. Cross ..

Adj

May 25, '61,

3 |Promoted from Sergeant Major to Adjutant, April 2, 1862-killed at Antietanı, Sept. 16, 1862.

Evan M. Woodward

... do

May 27, '61, 3

John L. Rhoads.

.. do

Mar. 20, '62, 3

Pr. to Sgt. Maj., April 2, 1862-to Adj., Sept. 18, '62-disch. on Surgeon's certificate Sept. 22, '63. Pr. froni Ist Lt. Co. G to Adj., Sept. 23, 1863-to Brevet Captain, March 13, 1865-mustered out with regiment, June 16, 1864.

Charles F. Hoyt.

Q. M ....

May 27, '61, 3

Pr. from 2d Lt. Co. G to Q. M., March 17, 1862- to A. Q. M., U. S. Volunteers, July 1, 1862. Promoted from Com. Sgt. to Q. M., Jan. 6, 1863- mustered out with regiment, June 16, 1864.

Thomas B. Reed.

Surg ..

Edward Donnelly ...

... do.

July 13, '61, Aug. 14, '61, 3 3 Promoted to Surgeon U. S. Vols., April 20, 1862. Pr. from Asst. Surg. 34th reg. P. V. to Surgeon, April 23, 1862-captured at Wilderness, May 5, '64-mustered out with regiment, June 16,764- brevet Lieutenant Colonel, March 13, 1865.

John W. Lodge,

As.Sur.

June 6, '61, 3 Resigned December 5, 1861.

John Malone. .do

Jan.

7, '62,

Amos G. Coleman ... .. do

Aug. 2, '62, 3

Pr. to Surgeon 71st regiment P. V., Oct. 15, 1862. Mustered out with regiment, June 16, 1864.

D. W. Bashore. ... do Sept. 13, '62, 3 Discharged November 22, 1862.

Evan O. Jackson .... ... do

Dec. 17, '62, 3 Died August 4, 1863.

A. M. K. Storrie ...

Sr. Maj

Oct. 30, '61, 3

Promoted to 2d Lieutenant company A, 191st regiment P. V., June 6, 1864-Vet.

John L. Benson

Q. M. S.

May 27, '61, 3

Promoted to 2d Lieutenant company G, 191st regiment P. V .- Vet.

Geo. W. Fernon

Com. Sr

May 27, '61, 3 Promoted from privato company C, July 1, '62- mustered out with regiment, June 16, 1864.

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History of Pennsylvania volunteers, 1861-5; prepared in compliance with acts of the legislature, Vol. I, Part 92

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn Publication date: 1869 Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer Number of Pages: 1360

Author: Bates, Samuel P. (Samuel Penniman), 1827-1902. cn
Publication date: 1869
Publisher: Harrisburg, B. Singerly, State Printer
Number of Pages: 1360